Ilex plant named ‘RutHol6’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Ilex plant named ‘RutHol6’, characterized by its full, oval growth habit; a height-to-width ratio of about 1.3; grayish-red new growth, and wider leaves than similar Ilex cultivars.

Botanical designation: Hybrid Ilex cultivar.

Cultivar denomination ‘RutHol6’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct hybrid cultivar of Ilex (holly), and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘RutHol6’.

The new Ilex cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Watkinsville, Ga. The objective of the Ilex breeding program is to create new plant cultivars with novel forms of growth, good cold hardiness, and resistance to damage from spider mites, insects and diseases.

The new Ilex cultivar ‘RutHol6’ is a product of a cross between the unpatented offspring of (Ilex crenata (unpatented) x Ilex maximowicziana (unpatented)) crossed with Ilex viridis (unpatented). ‘RutHol6’ has been evaluated for container production and evaluated through trials at a horticultural farm in Watkinsville, Ga. since about 2016.

Asexual reproduction of the new Ilex cultivar has been continued by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in Dearing, Ga. and Watkinsville, Ga. since about 2014. Observations of the resulting progeny have shown that the unique features of the new Ilex cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Ilex cultivar ‘RutHol6’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotypes may vary somewhat with variations in environment and cultural practices such as temperature, water and fertility levels, soil types, and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique and distinguishing characteristics of the new Ilex cultivar named ‘RutHol6’. In combination, this combination of traits set ‘RutHol6’ apart from all other existing varieties of Ilex, including the parents, known to the inventors.

-   -   1. Oval growth habit having a more oval shape than other Ilex         selections;     -   2. A height to width ratio of about 1.3;     -   3. New growth that is grayish-red in contrast to yellow-green         mature leaves; and     -   4. Wider leaves than most other Ilex cultivars, having a length         to width ratio of 2.3.

Plants of the ‘RutHol6’ differ from the most similar Ilex cultivars based on at least some of the above characteristics. The maternal parent is no longer available, so direct comparison is not possible. Neither of the grandparent cultivars, nor parent Ilex virdis exhibits the grayish-red new growth of ‘RutHol6’. ‘RutHol6’ has a wider leaf with a larger L:W ratio (2.3) than either I. maximowicziana (2.0) or Ilex viridis (1.7). ‘RutHol6’ also has a larger leaf aspect (about 55-65°) than grandparent Ilex viridis (about 15-35°). ‘RutHol6’ can also be compared to commercial cultivar Ilex crenata ‘MAD-IC1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,035), which does not have the grayish-red colored new growth of ‘RutHol6’. Compared to ‘MAD-IC1’, ‘RutHol6’ is faster growing with a greater final height and more upright form, and ultimate leaves that are larger with undulate margins in contrast to the cupped leaves of ‘MAD-IC1’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overall appearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Ilex ‘RutHol6’ showing the colors as true as possible. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description. The photographs were taken of plants grown outdoors in Watkinsville, Ga. in May of 2021 and are described in the captions below.

The photograph labeled FIG. 1 depicts a full view of a typical 6-year-old ‘RutHol6’ plant showing the symmetrical, ovoid growth habit.

The photograph labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of some branches of a typical 6-year-old ‘RutHol6’ plant showing the grayish-red new growth.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following traits have been consistently observed in the original plants of the new ‘RutHol6’ and in asexually propagated progeny grown in Watkinsville, Ga., and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, their combination forms the unique characteristics of the new variety Ilex ‘RutHol6’.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon The R.H.S. Colour Chart, 6^(th) edition published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England in 2015, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurements, and values describe plants of the Ilex cultivar named ‘RutHol6’. Data were collected from a horticulture farm in Watkinsville, Ga. from 6-year-old plants. The average low temperatures ranged from about 15° F. to 30° F. in the winter and about 90° F. to 100° F. in summer.

-   Botanical classification: Ilex ‘RutHol6’. -   Commercial classification: Ornamental, landscaping. -   Parentage: Cross between (Ilex crenata (unpatented) x Ilex     maximowicziana (unpatented)) x Ilex viridis (unpatented). -   Growth and propagation:     -   -   Propagation type.—Vegetative terminal cuttings.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Root description.—Typically about 5-10 roots arising from             the base of the cuttings.         -   Rooting habit.—Strong. -   Plant description:     -   -   Habit.—Of 6-year-old plant in field — oval, upright, full,             and somewhat open shrub.         -   Usage.—Various uses, including landscaping, ornamental,             container, border, hedge, and mass planting).         -   Vigor.—Vigorous. -   Size of 6-year-old plant:     -   -   A. Height.—From soil level to top of plant, about 84 inches.         -   B. Width (at widest portion).—About 65 inches.         -   C. Ratio (h:w).—About 1.3. -   Branch/stem (terminal tuft):     -   -   A. Quantity.—Numerous, with an average of about 20 main             branches and about 30-30 lateral branches per main branch.         -   B. Length.—About 10-20 cm.         -   C. Base diameter.—About 2 mm at about 15 cm from tip.         -   D. Branch angle.—About 55-65° from center.         -   E: Odor (of bruised stem).—None detected.         -   F. Internode length.—About 5-20 mm.         -   G: Color (RHS).—Upper side — Grey-Brown N199B; lower side —             Yellow-Green 144A.         -   H: Strength of lateral branches.—Strong.         -   I: Texture/pubescence.—Moderately hispid.         -   J: Shape.—Ridged, 5-sided. -   Leaf:     -   -   A. Leaf type.—Simple.         -   Color (RHS).—Upper surface — emerging leaves are grayish-red             (closest to RHS Purple 77A); mature leaves are Yellow-Green             147A, lower surface — emerging leaves are Purple 77A; mature             leaves are Yellow-Green 146B.         -   C. Mature size (l×w).—About 5-5.5 cm×about 2-2.5 cm; ratio             (L:W) — about 2.3.         -   D. Apex.—Acute.         -   E. Base.—Cuneate.         -   F. Margin.—Serrulate, wavy (undulating).         -   G. Shape.—Elliptical; broader at upper ⅔ of leaf.         -   H. Lobes.—Absent.         -   I. Pubescence.—Smooth, no pubescence.         -   J. Arrangement on stem.—Alternate.         -   K. Venation.—Pinnate; upper color — Green 138B; lower color             — Yellow green 145B.         -   L. Texture.—Leathery.         -   M. Odor when crushed.—None detected.         -   N. Aspect.—About 55-65°.         -   O. Leaf number.—Average of about 1.0 per cm/stem. -   Petiole:     -   -   A. Length.—About 7-8 mm.         -   B. Shape.—Oval.         -   C. Color.—Upper surface is Brown 200A; lower surface is             Yellow-Green N146D.         -   D. Texture/pubescence.—Moderately hispid.         -   E. Diameter.—About 1 mm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   A. Type.—Solitary in clusters of 1 or 2; dioecious.         -   B. Peduncle.—Color — Yellow Green 144A.         -   C. Size.—Height — about 5-6 mm; diameter — about 14-18 mm. -   Flower:     -   -   A. Number per inflorescence/stem.—1 female.         -   B. Axillary or terminal.—Axillary.         -   C. Symmetry.—Regular.         -   D. Size (l×w).—About 3 mm by about 4 mm.         -   E. Fragrance.—None detected.         -   F. Bud.—Size (L×W) — about 3 mm by about 2 mm; shape — oval;             color: Yellow Green 145C; texture/pubescence — smooth, no             pubescence.         -   G. Petals.—Number — 4; size (L×W) — about 3 mm×about 2.5 mm;             shape — obovate; apex — round; base — truncate; margin —             smooth, entire; color at peak bloom — Yellow Green 150D for             both upper and lower surfaces; texture — smooth, no             pubescence; arrangement — symmetrical.         -   H. Pedicels.—Color — Yellow Green 144A; texture/pubescence —             moderately heavy pubescence; length — about 5 mm; aspect —             erect; strength — strong.         -   I. Sepals.—Number — about 4; size (L×W) — about 1.5×1.5 mm;             shape — acuminate; texture/pubescence — no pubescence; color             — Yellow Green 144A.         -   J. Stamens.—Number — about 4, about 1-2.5 mm long,             non-functional; anther — missing; no pollen.         -   K. Pistils.—a. number — about 4; b. stigma — hastate,             Greyed-Orange 177D with White 155D along, smooth texture, no             pubescence; c. style — about 1×0.5 mm (L×W), White 155D,             smooth texture, no pubescence; d. ovary — about 2×2 mm             (L×W), Yellow Green 144A, smooth texture, no pubescence,             position is hypogynous. -   Fruit:     -   -   A. Type.—Berry-like drupe.         -   B. Immature fruit.—Size (L×W) — about 3 mm by about 3 mm;             smooth texture; color — Yellow Green 144A.         -   C. Mature fruit.—Size (L×W) — about −4-5 mm by about 4-5 mm;             smooth texture; color — Black 202A. -   Seed:     -   -   A. Number per fruit.—About 4.         -   B. Size (l×w).—About 5 mm by about 3 mm.         -   C. Color.—Greyed Orange 165D. -   Weather/temperature tolerance: Not fully determined. Plants of the     new Ilex have been grown in USDA zone 8a. Ancestor species (I.     crenata and I. maximowicziana) have survived down to −5° F. with no     damage in Blairsville, Ga. Parent species Ilex viridis shows foliar     yellowing (photoinhibition) in the winter in Watkinsville, Ga. -   Disease/pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Ilex have not     been observed to have notable disease/pest resistance as compared to     other Ilex cultivars grown under similar conditions. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Ilex plant named ‘RutHol6’ as illustrated and described herein. 